Comic Book Day: Pull List for October 2, 2013

Share:

What a time to be a comic book fan, huh? First, they take over the movie theaters and now your home theaters as Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is dominating the ratings and DC is on a development spree, announcing the Commissioner Gordon-starring Gotham and a Constantine TV series. Nothing can replace the feeling of cracking open a brand new issue of your favorite title on Wednesday, though, and thank goodness for that, because Comic Book Day is a delightful respite from the drudgery of the workweek. And this week’s Pull List will keep you plenty distracted because it is jam-packed with titles you’ll be clamoring to get your hands on. Enough jibber jabber though – let’s get to the list!

Top Picks

Green Lantern #24 | Robert Venditti and Billy Tan

Let’s face it – despite the ability to fly around the far reaches of space and create incredible light-based constructs using sheer willpower, being a Green Lantern is a bum gig. You’re constantly under threat from all manner of alien invaders and you’re weak against the color yellow. Still, it’s a job that the universe needs. Or does it? Green Lantern #24 introduces us to a new big baddie in the form of Relic, who looks a bit like a Space Ghost villain who had a Galactus-sized growth spurt. He’s hot on the trail of Kyle Raynor, Carol Ferris, and the Guardians and he wants nothing more than to snuff out the Lanterns once and for all. This marks the start of a brand new Green Lantern crossover event, “Lights Out”, which should be pretty self-explanatory.

There’s a lot of table setting and expository dialogue, which Venditti tempers by having it take place during a knockdown, drag-out fight. This isn’t the strongest lead issue to a mini-series, but Relic is an intriguing villain and the issue ends with a bang that is going to have some major ramifications going forward. Venditti and Tan make a formidable team, and with each issue their chemistry is getting better and better; issue #24 is no exception. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with artist Billy Tan on taking over the reins of the series and what to expect from “Lights Out” moving forward.

Bushido #1 | Rob Levin and Jessada Sutthi

Vampires in feudal Japan. Boom. Done. Do you really need to know anything else? All right, fine. An outsider in feudal Japan, Kichiro cannot become a full-fledged samurai due to his lack of Japanese blood. Fortunately for him, his dreams of serving the shogun aren’t entirely dashed upon the rocky shores of reality. Rather, he is charged with hunting down and killing every supernatural threat that threatens to sink its fangs into the Shogunate. It’s a thrilling first issue from writer Rob Levin that draws you in and leaves you thirsty for more. Bursts of violence and quieter, introspective moments explode off the page thanks to breathtaking artwork by Jessada Sutthi, making Bushido #1 an electrifying read that simply must not be missed.

The Occultist #1 | Tim Seely and Mike Norton

There’s something to be said for a book that doesn’t beat around the bush with superfluous exposition and dives headfirst into the action, and The Occultist has no qualms about it. Rob Bailey is a mild-mannered college student by day and a demonic spellcaster by night. Essentially, he’s a Peter Parker type, trying to balance his love life and school work with the great responsibility that comes with wielding incredible power. Seely’s writing is rich with heart, humor, and compelling supernatural action, aided and abetted by some seriously droolworthy artwork from Mike Norton. This is an outstanding debut issue and a feather in Dark Horse’s cap amongst its new series. Don’t sleep on this one.